A/N: Hello lovely readers! I wish I had the time to update this story more often, but I'm happy to write what I can. I just noticed that I have been writing this story for over 3 years now. What?! Thank you for still riding this crazy roller coaster with me! I still, of course, own nothing here. I wish I did.

Also, has anyone seen the Mad T Party videos? It's a concert that takes place at Disneyland with the Hatter, Alice, Dormouse, March Hare, Cheshire Cat and Caterpillar as the band. Entertaining to start with, but some of those songs have some very shippy moments! I'll post some of my favorites at the end.

As I sat and fed Will, Lottie burst into the room.

"Mummy! Let's play dress up!"

"Lottie, I'm feeding your brother right now," I explained.

"That's ok! I can work with that," she said, holding up a case. "I'll do your hair first!"

I sighed and smiled. I knew that it wasn't easy for her. After being the only child for so many years (and the only child of "saviors" of Underland), it was hard to give that up. In Underland, she was the center of everyone's universe. Spoiled by the queen and friends with knights isn't something a little one wants to share. But through it all, Charlotte was even better than I expected, so I tried as often as I could to let her do what she wanted.

"Very well then," I resigned. "What shall it be today?"

"Curlers!"

I shuddered inwardly. I couldn't even imagine what I would look like after this. But if it made my little girl happy, then I would sit through the makeover.

Oblivious to what was going on around him, Will happily kept eating. I wondered how he would fit into dress up time when he got older. Poor boy.

Once my hair was completely set, Lottie began work on my make up. As she painted my face, Tarrant finally came home.

"Greetings fam ... ily," he trailed off. Apparently we looked a sight.

"Hi, Daddy!" Charlotte whispered as loud as she could, knowing her little brother had just fallen asleep.

"Hello there, buttercup. What are you two doing?"

"We're playing dress up! Will was eating, so we couldn't dress up yet, so I did Mummy's hair first and then I did her make up and as soon as she puts the baby down for his nap then we're going to find pretty dresses and then maybe we'll have a tea party and -"

"Charlotte," Tarrant gently said.

"Sorry, Daddy. Thank you."

"Aye, my dear."

"So, would you like to play too?"

I could see the panic in his eyes. Obviously he didn't want to, but how could he say no to those pleading blue eyes?

"Yes, yes, of course."

"Yay!" She clapped her hands excitedly and pulled Tarrant to a chair. "Now, sit right there and we'll start with your hair!"

Wide green eyes gave me a terrified look. The man faced war, death and a jabberwocky. Suddenly a little girl with ribbons scared him.

"I'm gonna braid your hair, Daddy!" Charlotte proudly announced.

"Don't go too fast," I told her. "I'm going to put Will in his crib and I want to see this."

I stifled a laugh as I left the room. Tarrant's hair had grown a bit since we met and it hung a bit more around his face. It was still endearingly unkempt, but there was more there for an excited daughter to work with.

When I returned, Lottie had his hair carefully parted and was about to start braiding pigtails.

"Not a word, beloved ... not a word," Hatter sighed when he saw me.

"No words are necessary, my darling. None at all."

I watched as Tarrant silently endured the pure bliss of a little girl playing with hair. Charlotte was having the time of her life and her father was just along for the ride. Her face showed pure concentration as she lovingly criss-crossed her father's hair. Finally, two matching plaits hung on either side of Hatter's face.

"There!" she said triumphantly. "All done!" She handed him the mirror and watched hopefully. "Well? What do you think, Daddy?"

Tarrant took a long look at himself in the mirror. "Well, buttercup ... it's ... well, it's just ... perfection. It looks wonderful!"

Charlotte let out the breath she was holding as she waited for his reply.

"I think so too, Daddy! Mummy, what do you think?"

"Oh, Lottie, I think it's very well done! You concentrated and did excellent work."

She beamed at the compliment. Truth be told, she really did do a good job with the braids. Yes, it was slightly odd to see them on Tarrant, but they were beautiful plaits.

"Now, Daddy, I don't think that you'll be needing any makeup, since you're already pretty colorful. So, let's go put on our tea party clothes and we'll be all set!"

Our daughter took off for her room and Hatter and I slowly followed.

"It's a good look for you," I said, barely containing the giggle I was trying so desperately to conceal.

"I said not a word, dearheart," he said with a small smile.

"But she's so proud of it. And she really did a good job. All you have to do is make it through the tea party and it will be time for bed ... for all of us." I added for emphasis.

"Well, with a reward like that, I think I can manage a bit longer as a Swiss miss."

He gave me that crooked grin and waggled his eyebrows at me. I would be getting a new hat soon.

Once Lottie put on her favorite lavender tea dress and I put on my special blue dress (the one with the front laces), we were ready for the party. Charlotte set out all her favorite pieces and even had some cookies that Thackery sent up earlier. She definitely received her hosting abilities from her father. He smiled with pride as he looked at what she had done.

"Buttercup, this is lovely!" he praised.

"Why thank you, Daddy! Please, have a seat!"

We all sat and Charlotte served the tea and cookies. Tarrant looked wistful for a moment, surely thinking back to the old tea tables and the shenanigans that went on there, but also full of pride at his daughter. I reached for his hand and squeezed it. He glanced up and smiled. There was still much to be thankful for.

As the tea party wore on, I could see Charlotte rubbing her eyes more and more.

"Are you getting tired, sweetheart?" I asked.

"No, Mummy, I'm ... *yawn* ... fine."

"Well, little love, I think it's my bedtime, so perhaps we should wrap this tea party up. What do you think?" Tarrant said, making her think it was his idea.

"If you're tired, Daddy, then it's fine. Just let me tidy up a bit."

"No, buttercup, I shall get it while you get a bath," he replied.

"Well, if you insist," she said, yawning again.

I took her to get a bath as Tarrant cleaned up the tiny plates and cups.

He came into her room as I was tucking her in. She was practically asleep already. There obviously would be no story.

"Good night, buttercup. I love you so much," Hatter said as he kissed her forehead.

"I love you too, Daddy."

"I love you, Lottie, good night," I said as I kissed her as well.

"G'night, Mummy. Love you too," she mumbled.

As we walked to our room, Hatter sighed. "She's a remarkable little girl."

"Yes, she is. She gets much of it from you."

"I think she's definitely more like you, poppet."

"With a tea set up like that? No, darling, that's all you."

He stopped. "Well, in many other ways, she is very much like you."

I refrained from rolling my eyes at him. "Yes, dear."

As I closed the door to our room, Tarrant spun me around and pinned me against it.

"Hatter!" I gasped.

"Ah mean to collect on mah reward fer such patience earlier," he said, Outlandish accent already becoming previlent and eyes already darkening.

"Well, I should hate to leave you unrewarded," I said as I pulled him to me and kissed him.

The hat I received the next day really was beautiful.

For your viewing enjoyment:

www . youtube watch ?v = XPDF xlkW-Vk (The best part is in Pour Some Sugar on Me)

www . youtube watch ?v= _Y1RUP oYvnU (Faithfully ... go ahead and try not to squee)

www . youtube watch?v= Ls7dM47 Q8yY (Domino)

www . youtube watch?v=d 7G963G7yDA (Everybody Talks)